Kailua Hongwanji members were up bright and early for the 6th annual Family Promise of Hawai`i 5K Fun Run at Kailua Intermediate School.

Family Promise has assisted hundreds of homeless families in Hawaii transition into long-term housing. Kailua Hongwanji partners with the temples in the Honpa Hongwanji’s Honolulu District to support Family Promise throughout the year.

After our 50th Anniversary Service at the temple, we celebrated with a luncheon at Mid-Pacific Country Club. Old photos and albums from the archives were on display for members to reminisce upon. Congratulatory messages were read by Bishop Eric Matsumoto and Pieper Toyama, President of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

This was followed by a special video produced by Joy & John Nishida, Joshua Chang, and Neil Yamamoto. The video can be viewed by clicking below.

On August 10, 1968, Kailua Hongwanji Mission became a full-fledged, independent temple of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. Fifty years later, we celebrate accomplishing many of the goals our predecessors had, including replacing the former temple, a repurposed home, with a modern, multi-purpose building that serves the membership and the broader community.

We held a special service on September 9, 2018 to celebrate Kailua Hongwanji Mission's 50th anniversary. We were honored to have in attendance Bishop Eric Matsumoto; Pieper Toyoama, President of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii; and several past KHM resident ministers and Kyodan presidents. Everyone in attendance also received a special 50th Anniversary program and a logo gift.

On January 28, 2018, Kailua Hongwanji visited the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Organized by the KHBWA, the tour included temple members and families. We learned about the rich history of the battleship that played an important role in World War II.

Neil and Jack were our very knowledgeable guides for the tour, recounting the history of the Missouri and the end of World War II on the Surrender Deck.

We learned about the kamikaze pilot who crashed into the starboard side of the Missouri and the compassionate actions of Captain Callaghan, who ordered an honorable burial at sea for the enemy pilot whose body was found amid the wreckage.

The Kamikaze exhibit, gave us a glimpse into the lives of the kamikaze pilots.

After a bento lunch in the mess hall, we toured the kitchen and living quarters beneath the deck.

Kailua Hongwanji joined churches across Hawaii in honoring Queen Lili'uoklani, who passed away on November 11, 1917. On the 100th anniversary of her passing, church bells statewide tolled 100 times in commemoration at 8:30 a.m.

Kailua Hongwanji members Dennis, Lisa, Wyatt and Joy participated in the Annual Family Promise 5K Fun Run/Walk on Sat 10/28. Family Promise Hawaii is an organization that mobilized existing community resources to aid families with children experiencing homelessness to help them transition to sustainable independence. The four Hongwanji temples within the Honolulu District (Moiliili Hawaii Betsuin, Jikoen and Kailua) work with Family Promise by housing and feeding 3-4 families for one week, 2-3 times a year.

We also saw a familiar face playing trombone in the Kukui High Pep Band (yes, from Hawaii Five-O!). Cheyne whose grandmother Esther Fujioka was a long time active temple member!

Eight individuals of Kailua Hongwanji Mission participated in the Confirmation Ceremony held at the Hawaii Betsuin on September 10, 2017 officiated by His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani (spiritual leader of the Hongwanji). During the ceremony, an individual confirms his/her entry into the Path of the Nembutsu and affirms reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Each participant received a Dharma Buddhist Name (Homyo)